When SHTF weapon suggestions for close encounters.

Everyone can make suggestions. Now I know I'll get the "derp good luck getting that close to me when my ar-15 is pointed at ur head". Look if shit happened at points close encounters are inevitable at some point so make your suggestions, and why you like the weapons...I'll start out with 2.

That badboy is the ball headed war club, and Cold steel makes an awesome one for 40 bucks. What I like about it whatever it hits it completely obliterates. If you get the ball on target whatever the person was blocking with would be useless after a strike from it. There are vids on youtube of people using some on concrete blocks ect ect. If you watch those vids it looks very inefficient in that it takes 2 hands, and has a ridiculous wind up. Quite simply the people have no effing idea what they're doing it's easily used in one hand all you have to do is put a quick twirl to get the power momentum going then strike the target. Yes has a bit of delay, and takes some time to recover after a strike so you would need choose your strikes wisely. As long as you make contact though it's over.

That is a tonfa. Now what I like about it is it's flexibility you grip it with thumb up and it goes along the bottom side of your forearm. Now, because of it's design it's equally offensive and defensive how it lies along your forearm fits perfectly with your natural reaction to protect yourself with blocking with your forearm. It also allows for some interesting grips, and locks if one were so inclined but that's not really needed. Also the stub towards the top allows for quite a debilitating blow wherever it hits as, and on top of that the long end along with grip can allow for it to swing around for a baseball bat type strike which obviously very potent.

Personally I prefer blunt weapons in fight scenarios that are face to face. They may not have as high chance of instant kill, but if landing on whatever body part that part is pretty well done.

Oh also forgot if you decide to take up the tonfa, my suggestion would be to practice it with your bad hand. Its much easier to get your weaker limb to block than to deliver a debilitating blow. Think like a baseball glove you train your bad hand to catch while your good hand throws. Also you could use your tonfa on your bad arm to work defense, while your attack weapon in your right hand for offense. Just some advice.

For a close encounter tool, that is probably the easiest question of all time. Either a good field knife or a tomahawk. This is coming from someone who is actually well trained on tonfas, kamas, nunchakus, sai, bo staff, you get the picture.

Whether in an urban emergency scenario or woodland survival scenario you're going to want the tool that can be doubled up to do other things such as build a shelter, start a fire, make other tools, etc. Also for the sake of combat, a knife has a better learning curve for effectiveness. Same with a tomahawk. Another thing to consider is getting around with that gear. Think about the food you will have to carry, water, sleeping bag or hammock, hygiene products, possible rifle and ammo. You need to consolidate it all as much as possible and in regards to a close range combat tool, you need something you can operate with even after having walked miles and you're tired and exhausted. If you choose to buy a knife, I have a soft spot for the kabars but there are a lot of great choices out there. I have a preference to the carbon steel because it stays sharper longer but you find what you can. Hope you find the right tool for your needs.

For a close encounter tool, that is probably the easiest question of all time. Either a good field knife or a tomahawk. This is coming from someone who is actually well trained on tonfas, kamas, nunchakus, sai, bo staff, you get the picture.

Whether in an urban emergency scenario or woodland survival scenario you're going to want the tool that can be doubled up to do other things such as build a shelter, start a fire, make other tools, etc. Also for the sake of combat, a knife has a better learning curve for effectiveness. Same with a tomahawk. Another thing to consider is getting around with that gear. Think about the food you will have to carry, water, sleeping bag or hammock, hygiene products, possible rifle and ammo. You need to consolidate it all as much as possible and in regards to a close range combat tool, you need something you can operate with even after having walked miles and you're tired and exhausted. If you choose to buy a knife, I have a soft spot for the kabars but there are a lot of great choices out there. I have a preference to the carbon steel because it stays sharper longer but you find what you can. Hope you find the right tool for your needs.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 9510086

I consider both weapons I've shown can be versatile while definitely not as much as a knife or tomahawk much can still be done with them. Look at native americans many of their weapons like the ball headed war club, and gunstock war club were used for a lot of things not just fighting. Also it wouldn't be hard to have a combination of all the above with holsters in the right place. Just my opinion though if you're choosing knife I would go with kukri. Thicker blade and it's design allows for cutting through thicker material as compared to a normal machete. IMAGE ( [link to www.m4040.com] ) Kukri machete in case anyone was wondering.

For a close encounter tool, that is probably the easiest question of all time. Either a good field knife or a tomahawk. This is coming from someone who is actually well trained on tonfas, kamas, nunchakus, sai, bo staff, you get the picture.

Whether in an urban emergency scenario or woodland survival scenario you're going to want the tool that can be doubled up to do other things such as build a shelter, start a fire, make other tools, etc. Also for the sake of combat, a knife has a better learning curve for effectiveness. Same with a tomahawk. Another thing to consider is getting around with that gear. Think about the food you will have to carry, water, sleeping bag or hammock, hygiene products, possible rifle and ammo. You need to consolidate it all as much as possible and in regards to a close range combat tool, you need something you can operate with even after having walked miles and you're tired and exhausted. If you choose to buy a knife, I have a soft spot for the kabars but there are a lot of great choices out there. I have a preference to the carbon steel because it stays sharper longer but you find what you can. Hope you find the right tool for your needs.

I will have to go with the knife or Tomahawk as will. The Tomahawk you can hit someone with from a little distance if needed. And the fear facter of it will help a lot.

But I will always pick guns over all other, like AR-15, SHOTGUN, and hand guns.

AR-15 - Good for protiction from close to out to 300 yards and more.

Shotgun - Good for close.

Hand gun - Good for close. 9mm one of the most used ammo in the US. Easy to find.

22 rifle - This one would be used for hunting only, not so load and ammo very cheap. Also the #1 ammo sold in the US, so it will be a lot easyier to find if needed.

In the military we were always trained that if we must turn to are knifes and even are hand guns, we are in trouble, so keep that in mind, and try to keep enemies out at a distance. You need to spot them first, so always put your self in a position were you will.

I will have to go with the knife or Tomahawk as will. The Tomahawk you can hit someone with from a little distance if needed. And the fear facter of it will help a lot.

But I will always pick guns over all other, like AR-15, SHOTGUN, and hand guns.

AR-15 - Good for protiction from close to out to 300 yards and more.

Shotgun - Good for close.

Hand gun - Good for close. 9mm one of the most used ammo in the US. Easy to find.

22 rifle - This one would be used for hunting only, not so load and ammo very cheap. Also the #1 ammo sold in the US, so it will be a lot easyier to find if needed.

In the military we were always trained that if we must turn to are knifes and even are hand guns, we are in trouble, so keep that in mind, and try to keep enemies out at a distance. You need to spot them first, so always put your self in a position were you will.

Quoting: soldier32 119873

See we talk about guns, I think a .22 is undervalued. It can reach long distances, and there will be by far more .22 ammo around than anything else. Doesn't matter the caliber of bullet, it matters the placement. Just my personal opinion.

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for a spear or a glaive (or hewing-spear as the Scandinavians called them). Not as practical, but lots of reach for a mid-length weapon, and easy learning curve. Used properly, a glaive or spear will keep an individual with a machete or club outside of striking distance.Once you are inside that range, more utilitarian items come up, like the machete, francisca , or tomahawk. The last two, of course, being balanced for throwing.

Yeah, you are not gonna agree with me on a lot. Figured that out a long time ago.

I keep multiple weapons both on hand, and in various locations nearby - within a 1 hour walking distance, which for me is approx. 8-10Km radius.

While I do NOT feel comfortable disclosing the contents of my stock - its a security thing, we know this forum is watched - My suggestion? Watch some videos of some of the armaments already mentioned IN ACTION, and make a decision on what you think will work best for you.

My point here is that, for example, a spikey war club might be an ideal melee weapon for a larger man, a man who is smaller in stature might want to opt with a standard wooden baseball bat with lots o' nails in its sweetspot.

Don't oversell your weapon of choice. What works for one person is completely inappropriate for another.

I keep multiple weapons both on hand, and in various locations nearby - within a 1 hour walking distance, which for me is approx. 8-10Km radius.

While I do NOT feel comfortable disclosing the contents of my stock - its a security thing, we know this forum is watched - My suggestion? Watch some videos of some of the armaments already mentioned IN ACTION, and make a decision on what you think will work best for you.

My point here is that, for example, a spikey war club might be an ideal melee weapon for a larger man, a man who is smaller in stature might want to opt with a standard wooden baseball bat with lots o' nails in its sweetspot.

Don't oversell your weapon of choice. What works for one person is completely inappropriate for another.

Quoting: Codetwister

Thank you, and too true with your last comment. Many here I'm sure have never messed with anything hand to hand (it's all guns guns guns here). So this thread is just to give them idea's on various weapons and what to expect from them.

INTJ:Independent, original, analytical, and determined. Have an exceptional ability to turn theories into solid plans of action. Highly value knowledge, competence, and structure. Driven to derive meaning from their visions. Long-range thinkers. Have very high standards for their performance, and the performance of others. Natural leaders, but will follow if they trust existing leaders.

Life is karma and karma always reflects both past and present circumstance. Our time here is short, so choose carefully and behave well, for all of your tomorrows are presently being decided.

"A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool."-- William Shakespeare, born April 23, 1564.